Improvement in floor-clamps



J. M. WILSON.

FLOOR-CLAMPS.

No.185,810, Patented Dec. 26,1876.

WITNESSES: INVEITDB %/Z15 BY momma.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MILTON WILSON, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JAMES H. HALL, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEM ENT IN FLOOR-CLAMPS.

v Specification forming part ofLetters Patent No. 185,810, dated December 26, 1876; application tiled October 23, 1876.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN M. WILsoN, of Nashua, in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Floor-Clamps, of which the following is a specification Figure l is a longitudinal section on line as a; in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a top view.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention consists in the arrangement of two arms hinged together, so as to form a toggle or knee joint. Upon. the extremity of one of the arms a lip is formed that embraces the edge of the flooring. At the extremity of the other arm a mortise is made, in which a spur is placed, which is driveninto the joist. One of the arms is provided with a ratchet, and the other arm with a pawl, which retains the partsin position when the desired pressure is secured.

The object of the invention is to furnish a clamp for laying flooring, and for other similar purposes, which will facilitate the laying of floors, and effect a material saving of time and labor.

Referring to the drawing, Ais one of the arms of the floor-clamp, which is mortised at its outer end, and provided with a spur, B, which is capable of sliding in the mortise, but is prevented from dropping out by lugs formed at one side near its ends. 0 is an arm that is hinged to the arm A at b, and is provided with a lip, a, that embraces the edge of the flooring F. The arm 0 is elongated beyond the hinge, and is provided with a curved ratchet, a. Ears d d are formed on the arm A, between which a pawl, D, is pivoted, which is capable of engaging with ratchet a. The arm A is mortised between the ears d, to receive the ratchet a when the arms A O are brought in line.

In using the flooring-clamp the flooring F is placed in the required position, and the lip c placed against it. The hinged ends of the arms are raised from the joist, and the spur B is driven into the joist sufficiently to retain it. The arm 0 is pressed down by the foot or otherwise, which straightens the toggle formed by the arms A O, and presses the flooringpiece F to its place. The pawl D engages the ratchet a, and prevents the arms A (J from rising until the pawl-lever is raised, and the ratchet is released.

My improved flooring-clamp is simple and inexpensive in its construction, convenient and efficient in its operation, and light, strong, and portable.

Having thus dcscri bed my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The arm A, spur B, arm 0, having the lip c, the ratchet a, and pawl D, combined and operating substantially as herein shown and described.

JOHN MILTON WILSON.

Witnesses:

W. D. MONGORAN, E. E. PARKER. 

